Note:This story previously reported kickoff time as 8 p.m. It was changed to 7:30 p.m.

As a freshman last season, quarterback RaeVon Vaden put up big numbers as he helped the Moore High School football team post its first winning record in 15 years.

Friday night, Vaden hopes to lead the Mustangs to even bigger things – a victory that would send shockwaves around the state.

Moore (3-1) will get a chance at a statement victory when Johnson Central (3-0) visits for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The Golden Eagles (3-0) are the defending Class 4-A state champions and are ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press statewide Class 4-A poll.

“This is going to be the biggest game of my career right here,” Vaden said. “We have to make a big statement.”

First-year Mustangs coach Rob Reader said the series with Johnson Central came about in June after a scheduling mix-up with another team. Reader said he contacted both Danville and Waggener – who will play each other Friday night – before hearing from Johnson Central.

Reader said he had to “do a little convincing” of Moore athletic director Tim Gentry before the agreement was sealed. Moore will travel to Johnson Central next season.

“I said, ‘We want to see where we’re at and where we want to go, so we need to play these guys,’” Reader said. “Win or lose, we’re going to be a better football team for it. They’re going to exploit weaknesses, which is what great teams do. … They’re big, but I think we’re faster than them.”

Reader is hopeful Moore’s passing game – led by Vaden – will be the difference Friday.

“He can make any throw, and he’s not afraid to take charge. The kids respect him for it.”

Rob Reader, on RaeVon Vaden

Vaden passed for 2,064 yards and 20 touchdowns last season as the Mustangs finished 7-4, their first winning record since going 7-5 in 2001. His older brother, Russell, was the team's top receiver (45 catches, 685 yards, eight touchdowns) and now is a freshman at Eastern Michigan University.

Senior Sincere McMurray said he was impressed with Vaden’s play as a freshman. McMurray was the Mustangs’ quarterback in 2015 but moved to wide receiver as Vaden took over.

“He’s calm in the clutch,” McMurray said. “That pressure? I couldn’t take it. He’s good with it.”

Added senior wide receiver Jeremiah Lord: “He’s smart. He knows a lot about the game, and he can read defenses really well. … He’s more mature than his age.”

Reader brought a spread attack to Moore this season, and the coach said Vaden has adapted well to it. He’s completed 45 of 88 passes for 746 yards and 10 touchdowns with just three interceptions and also rushed for two touchdowns.

“His maturation over the last few weeks has gone out the roof,” Reader said. “He plays a lot older than what he is. … He can make any throw, and he’s not afraid to take charge. The kids respect him for it.”

Vaden said he and his teammates have embraced the motto “Burn the Boats” for this week’s game. Reader said it’s a reference from Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” and is hoping it will help his team focus entering a tough matchup.

“When you’re off to battle, you burn the boats to signify there’s nowhere to retreat and no escape plan,” Reader said. “There’s only Plan A. That’s been our motto this week, and we’ve talked about it a lot. … Sometimes you have to take that safety net away.”

Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.